finite

finitely

finiteness

Examples of finite in a sentence

a finite number of possibilities

the earth's finite supply of natural resources

the finite human life span

a finite verb such as “is” or “are”

Did You Know?

It has come as a shock to many of us to realize that resources such as oil--and the atmosphere's ability to absorb greenhouse gases--are finite rather than unlimited. The debate continues as to whether the universe is finite or infinite and, if it's finite, how to think about what lies beyond it. Religion has always concerned itself with the question of the finite (that is, human life on earth) versus the infinite (God, eternity, and infinity). But finite is mostly used in scientific writing, often with the meaning "definitely measurable".

FINITE Defined for Kids

finite

Definition of finite for Students

: having definite limits <I was given a finite number of choices.>

Word Root of finite

The Latin word finis, meaning “end” or “boundary,” gives us the root fin. Words from the Latin finis have something to do with ends or limits. Something final, such as the last chapter in a book, is the ending one. To confine is to put limits or boundaries around something. To finish something is to come to its end. Something finite has limits and happens only for a certain amount of time or in a certain space before it ends.